Malta and Greece, two prominent European countries, have emerged as top choices for individuals seeking citizenship through investment migration programs.

According to Henley & Partners’ annual rankings, Malta retains its position as the world’s leading citizenship-by-investment destination, while Greece has risen to claim the top spot in residence programs.

For the tenth consecutive year, Malta ranks first in the 2025 Global Citizenship Program Index, reaffirming its dominance in investment-based naturalization.

Meanwhile, Greece’s Golden Visa Program secures first place in the 2025 Global Residence Program Index, overtaking Portugal, which had led or shared the top position for the past nine years.

These rankings highlight Europe’s continued leadership in offering attractive residence and citizenship pathways.

“Andri Boike, Global CEO and Founder of Garant IN, emphasizes Malta’s appeal, stating, ‘Malta holds a strong European passport, allowing visa-free travel across the EU and the UK. Typically, within 18 months, all family members receive their passports.’”

Countries with Citizenship by Investment Programs

Citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs provide foreign investors and their families with an opportunity to acquire second citizenship, granting them enhanced global mobility and settlement options in over 100 countries.

Malta’s Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulations allows foreign nationals and their families to obtain citizenship by contributing to the country’s economic development.

The process requires a 36-month residency period, though an accelerated option is available within 12 months.

Other top-ranking nations in the 2025 Global Citizenship Program Index include:

• Austria (2nd place) – Offers a high-tier program requiring significant economic contributions.
• Grenada (3rd place) – Notable for its visa-free access to China.
• Antigua & Barbuda (4th place) – Popular for its flexible family application process.
• Nauru, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia (5th place, tied).
• Dominica (6th place), Türkiye (7th place), and Egypt (8th place, tied with Jordan and North Macedonia).
• Vanuatu (9th place) and Cambodia (10th place) round out the top ten.

Residence by Investment Programs

Residence-by-investment, often referred to as Golden Visa Programs, allows high-net-worth individuals to secure residency rights, enabling them to live, work, study, and access healthcare in their new countries.

Greece’s Golden Visa Program, now the highest-ranked in the 2025 Global Residence Program Index, has become increasingly popular due to its affordability and strategic location. Portugal, which previously dominated the rankings, now shares 3rd place with Italy and the UK, while Switzerland takes 2nd place.

Other notable rankings include:

• Australia, Canada, and Spain (tied at 4th place).
• The UAE, which expanded its Golden Visa offerings to attract top talent, securing a place in the top five.

In the 2025 Global Citizenship Program Index, Nauru stands out with the highest score for Investment Requirements (8/10), while Australia, Hong Kong, and Switzerland score a perfect 10/10 in the Global Residence Program Index for not requiring an upfront investment to secure residence rights.

Meanwhile, Monaco and the UAE receive 10/10 for tax benefits, while all European Union countries score 10/10 for visa-free access.

Ranking Methodology

The rankings for both citizenship and residence programs are based on ten key factors, including:

• Reputation
• Quality of Life
• Visa-Free or Visa-on-Arrival Access
• Processing Time & Efficiency
• Compliance & Investment Requirements

With investment migration programs evolving, Malta and Greece continue to set the benchmark for individuals seeking new opportunities for global mobility and economic stability.

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